Tropical rainforests such as the Amazon absorb billions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, helping maintain a balance of the gas that insulates the Earth. Destruction of these forests in recent decades is contributing to global warming by adding to the excess carbon dioxide already produced by fossil fuels, and reducing the Earth’s ability to absorb it at the same time.
One of three deep dives on climate change that accompanied the series "Warmer World" for The Associated Press in the early Aughts. We're looking forward to revisiting these topics for Coast & Horizon a climate reporting project launching this summer. #cartography #climate #amazon #deforestation